Clasp for watches and similar articles.



C. TROMMER.

CLASP FOR WATCHES AND SIMILAR ARTICLES. I

APPLICATION FILED 001215. 1915.

Patented Apr. 25; 1916.

CARL TRO'MMER, OF RIDGEWOOD HEIGHTS, NEW YORK.

CLASP FOR WATCHES AND SIMILAR ARTICLES.

menses.

Application filed. October 15, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL TROMMER, a 01111 zen of Germany, and a resident of Ridgewood Heights, in the county of Queens and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clasps for Watches and Similar Articles, of which the following is a specifidtion.

This invention relates to a clasp of novel construction, by means of which watches, and similar articles may be readily secured to the clothing in various positions, and in such a manner that said articles are securely held against accidental or larcenous removal.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a front view of a clasp embodying my invention; Fig. 2 a side view thereof; 3 a longitudinal section, partly in s1de v1ew; Fig. 1 a bottom view; Fig. 5 a front view of a modification; Fig. 6 a side view thereof partly in section; Fig. 7 a longitudinal section, and Fig. 8 a bottom view of the modification.

The device comprises essentially, a pair of extensible members or straps adapted to be pivotally connected to diametrically opposite points of a watch case or similar article 1. Each member is composed of a suitable number of interlocked rigid links, two of such links being shown in Figs. 1-4. Of these, each link is, in turn, formed of an outer casing 2, and an inner slide 3 straddled by the casing. The casing is closed at ts sides, but open at the top and bottom, while the slide is open at the sides but closed at the top and bottom. Within each link constructed as described, is housed a spiral spring 4, which is compressed when the strap is distended, and will contract the strap when the pull is relinquished.

In order to guide the slides withln their casings, they are provided with laterally extending pins 5 that engage longitudinal ways formed on the inner faces of the casm s.

The extensible strap constructed as described, may be secured at its inner end to the watch case 1 by means of a knuckle or catch 6, formed on slide 3 and engaging a the outer end of the strap, there is formed Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 25, N816.

Serial No. 55,914.

a hook or prong 8, which is connected to the outermost casing 2 by a rather heavy hollow wire or pin 9, that bridges the end of such casing. The prong is first bent downwardly and then inwardly, so as to extend in the direction of a chord to the casing when the latter is arched, or in parallelism therewith, when the casing is straight. In this way, the prong will underlie the casing for its entire length, and its position will be such that its point is directed inwardly or toward the watch case 1. Thus when both of the clasps are attached to opposite points of said case by the diametrically disposed eyes 7 the prongs will point toward the case from diametrically opposite directions.

In use, one of the prongs 8, is pushed into the dress or other article of clothing, the clasp is distended, the second prong is pushed into the dress, and then the device is released so that the clasp on contracting, will cause the prongs to approach and thus securely attach the device to the dress. After such attachment has been effected, any pull on the watch or clasp will result in a corresponding pull on the outer ends of the prongs, so that they will be again drawn toward each other, and thus tighten their grip in proportion to the force of the pull. In this way, an exceedingly firm hold is obtained so that pilfering or accidental loss of the watch is effectively guarded against.

In Figs. 5-8, each clasp is shown to be formed of a single rigid extensible link, while a pair of prongs 8, are formed at the outer end of such link.

It will be seen that by my invention, watches may be secured to various articles or apparel with the clasps extending in an upright, horizontal or oblique direction to suit the fancy of the wearer. The clasp in contradistinction to a watch bracelet, is not restricted to the attachment of the watch to the wrist, but permits it to be carried wherever ordained by whim or fashion. Finally, the clasp will form an ornamental adjunct to the watch, the whole, constituting an attractive article of jewelry.

I claim:

1. A clasp for watches and similar articles comprising a resilient strap having an outer casing, an inner slide, an interposed spring,

a catch member at one end of the strap, a pin bridging the other end of the strap and a prong carried by said pin and underlying the strap for the entire length of the prong.

2. A device of the character described, comprising a Watch case having a pair of diametrically disposed eyes, a pair of extensible straps formed of rigid outer casings and inner slides, means on the inner ends of said slides for en aging said eyes. and inwardly directed prongs at the outer ends of the casings.

CARL TROMMER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C." 

